Setting and meeting customer expectations - Our Project Managers who have vast domain knowledge and experience in handling similar projects discuss customer requirements for better understanding and clarification of any doubts. This helps in gauging the unexpressed expectations on part of the client and in preventing rework and delays. Our project managers then prioritize the design process to exactly meet the client's expectations.

Risk management and contingency planning - The Project Manager creates a detailed project plan with associated risk management and contingency plans. If necessary, the team opts for rapid prototyping. This reveals the possible pitfalls and deviations, even before the actual development begins. The team estimates the effort in each phase realistically and schedules each deliverable taking into account all these contingencies. This process eliminates the chances of slipping up on the schedule

Establishing a practical and effective communication channel -During the initial interaction with the client, our team sets up a) the milestones in the project's progress, b) the key checkpoints and c) the persons in the client organization who are best authorized to approve of various stages. Then we identify an Account Manager (AM) from our side to effectively synchronize and act upon the client's approvals and feedback on the development efforts. This person is the single-point resource for information the client may require at any time, regarding the project progress, issues and status. Typically clients also designate an account manger from their end, to act as a single-point interface. We have found that AM to AM communication for all formal interactions is an effective and efficient communication mechanism, from our experience of many distributed projects.

Escalation procedures and remedial measures - The escalation procedures and remedial measures in case of any eventuality are built into the system as a result of the processes we adopt. The processes set the basic guidelines and regular reviews ensure the conformance.

Setting up periodic checkpoints/reviews - Each phase of design and development involves a series of reviews- internal and external. This system of reviews is intrinsically built into Ramsoft's software engineering processes. Time and again, we involve the clients in the reviews at critical phases, either on-site or offshore. Constant reviews at critical phases ensure consistency, quality and conformance to the requirements.

Configuration and change management - Traceability matrix is an indispensable tool for a successful project execution. We use a traceability matrix detailing the trail from requirements to design to implementation to testing, tying various phases together. The process has evolved into a highly structured one wherein various configuration and change management tools can be seamlessly slotted in as appropriate. We ensure the team generates detailed documents at each stage of our process, which help in subsequent maintenance and support

Quality assurance -Being a software services company, we invariably adhere to the software engineering methodologies and quality processes specified by our clients. Our project teams have successfully executed projects in ISO 9000, SEI-CMM and Mil-Std-2167A environments.

Our teams have executed projects that have been audited at SEI-CMM Levels 4 and 5. At the enterprise level, we follow a balanced and effective mix of processes from the SEI-CMM, ISO and 2167A methodologies and are working towards achieving certification. Our processes have evolved over the years and have matured with time. Nevertheless, we have taken care to ensure that they do not hamper individual brilliance and creativity.